The Portuguese Albuminuria Study: national insights into prevalence and risk factors.

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern associated with increased cardiovascular risks. In Portugal, the high burden of CKD highlights the urgent need for early detection strategies. The primary aim of this study was to assess the presence of albuminuria in the Portuguese general population while raising awareness of CKD.

Methods: An epidemiological, cross-sectional study screened 601 individuals for albuminuria using urine test strips, employing a door-to-door approach across the five regions of mainland Portugal (screening study), with 592 valid results included in the final analysis. In parallel, an awareness campaign distributed 17 000 urine test strips, with 704 participants submitting their results through an online platform (awareness study).

Results: The screening occurred in a healthy population, with >70% (screening study) and >87% (awareness study) of the individuals reporting no known personal health history. The presence of albuminuria was detected in 5.1% of the screening study population and 3.4% of the awareness study participants. In both studies, significant associations were found between albuminuria and risk factors, such as age, education level, CKD and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Regional disparities were also observed. In the screening study, multivariate analysis identified education level (P = .011), CKD (P < .0001) and autoimmune diseases (P = .009) as independent predictors of albuminuria.

Conclusions: These findings highlight albuminuria as a critical early marker for CKD and cardiovascular risks. The results support the need for targeted screening and public health initiatives, particularly in high-risk and younger populations.